Unregulated Biological Laboratories Emerging Across United States

Federal Authorities Discover Second Unauthorized Biolab with Foreign Connections

Federal agents have executed a search warrant at a vacation rental property near Las Vegas in early February 2026, uncovering what officials believe may be the second unauthorized biological laboratory linked to an earlier facility discovered in California. The discovery has prompted House Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford to raise significant concerns about biosecurity oversight on American soil.

The Las Vegas site appears connected to a previous unauthorized laboratory found in Reedley, California, where investigators uncovered alarming materials including thousands of vials labeled with dangerous pathogens such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, and Ebola. The California facility also contained genetically modified mice commonly used in biological research.

“These unauthorized facilities operating outside regulatory frameworks pose potential risks to national security and public health,” said Crawford, who is leading congressional inquiries into the matter. “We need to understand how these operations evaded detection and what vulnerabilities exist in our biosecurity systems.”

The Reedley discovery, dating back to 2022, particularly troubled local officials due to the lab’s proximity to residential neighborhoods, a high school, and municipal water supplies. Code enforcement officers initially discovered the facility during routine inspections, leading to a multi-agency investigation involving federal authorities.

Federal prosecutors have identified Jiabei Zhu, also known as David He, as a central figure connected to both laboratory sites. Zhu is currently in federal custody facing charges related to the California operation. According to the Department of Justice, Zhu has been indicted for allegedly distributing unapproved and misbranded COVID-19 test kits between August 2020 and March 2023.

The DOJ alleges these operations generated over $1.7 million in revenue, with products falsely marketed as FDA-authorized and manufactured in the United States. The fraud charges add another dimension to what appears to be an elaborate cross-state operation.

Biosecurity experts note that oversight of biological laboratories in the United States involves multiple federal agencies, including the CDC, FDA, and Department of Agriculture, creating potential regulatory gaps that unauthorized operators might exploit.

Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security who is not involved in the investigation, explained that legitimate biological research requires strict protocols and permits. “Operating outside these frameworks not only violates regulations but potentially endangers public health and compromises research integrity,” Adalja told reporters.

The discovery of a second facility operating out of what appears to be a residential Airbnb property has raised additional questions about screening procedures for short-term rentals and how sensitive biological materials could be transported across state lines without detection.

While federal officials have emphasized there is currently no confirmed public health threat from either facility, the investigation continues to expand as authorities assess the full scope of activities conducted at both locations.

The case highlights growing concerns about biosecurity vulnerabilities within the United States. In recent years, oversight agencies have faced challenges tracking the proliferation of biological research facilities, particularly those operating outside traditional academic or pharmaceutical settings.

Crawford and other lawmakers are pushing for a comprehensive review of existing regulations and enforcement mechanisms. “These incidents demonstrate clear gaps in our biosecurity infrastructure,” Crawford noted. “Whether these labs represent isolated incidents or point to more systemic problems remains a critical question for national security.”

Federal authorities are expected to provide additional details as the investigation progresses, with particular attention to any potential international connections or motives behind the unauthorized laboratories.